Underground and Earth Sheltered

This Q & A information below is provided courtesy Davis Caves, but is not an
endorsement of them or any company, and is for general information only. Please
do your own research.

Two good books on this type structure are: The $50 and Up Underground House
by Mike Oehler, who built the $50 version in 1971, addded on a $500. extension
and still lives in the dwelling today. He explains earth/carpet floors, building for
maximum solar gain and multiuse interior designs.

Rob Roy's Complete Book of Underground Houses also written in the 70s covers
insulation needs, waterporfing, solar gain and roofs. It is now out of print, look for
used copies.

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These very low cost options allow a person or family to live very cheaply while
constructing a larger house, or can serve as simple longterm shelter

Q: What is the difference between "earth sheltered" and "earth bermed"?

A: An "earth sheltered" home is one in which the top as well as most of the sides
are covered with earth. An "earth bermed" home utilizes a conventional roof, with
only the sides of the home protected with earth.

Q: What are the advantages of an earth sheltered home versus an earth bermed
home?
A: Besides reduced maintenance costs and increased safety from fire and
tornadoes, earth sheltered homes are much more energy efficient than earth
bermed homes. According to an independent sudy done by the University of
Minnesota, "a related advantage of placing earth on the roof of the house is that the
below grade wall and floor are 2 to 4 feet further from the
surface."...Houses built with wood structual systems do no provide the same mass
as predominantly concrete shell."

For example, according to the same study, the temperature of the earth during the
summer is much higher at the surface than at greater depths.
Thus, an earth sheltered home...particularyly one constructed of 100% reinforced
concrete with the highest quality rebar, as in a Davis Cave home...will net much
more energy savings due to moderate earth temperatures than an earth bermed
home with a conventional roof.

Q: Can we expect good air circulation in a Davis Caves earth sheltered home?
A: Of course! Davis Caves Construction is proud to be working with national
experts in designing air circulation systems exclusively for our earth
sheltered homes. These unique systems can be set up manually or automatically
providing abundant year round fresh air without significant
energy loss. Because this is a "positive pressure" system it eliminates concern for
radon gas.

Q: How thick are the celiling and walls?

A: All structural concrete is 6 bag mix. All structural reinforcing rod is ASTM grade
#60. The standard 8' wall is 8" thick and designed for a minimum of 650 lbs. per
square lateral load.
The standard ceiling is 10" - 12" thick and designed for a vertical load of 790 lbs.
per square foot. This allows for a minimum of 3' of earth cover.

Q: Is it dark?
A: Many people, until they have visited one of our model homes, think earth
sheltered homes are like a basement or cellar. After a visit, they discover that with a
south or southeast exposure, (ideally) an abundance of natural light is allowed into
the home.

Q: How do you meet building codes?

A: Several national building codes have revised their standards to eliminate the
need for secondary egress from bedrooms. (If the home is finished with metal studs
and fire resistand dry wall.) With these variances and/or floor
plan options, we can meet any building code.

Q: Are you able to add skylights?

A: Yes. Skylights may be added to any floor plan. We recommend the tubular
skylights (called "Sun Tunnells", "Solatubes", etc.). They are comparatively
inexpensive, easy to install, and allow even more natural sunlight into your Earth
Home. They also are efficient as far as energy loss.

Q: How is a Davis Cave earth sheltered home insulated?

A: Unlike a conventional basement, Davis Caves
Construction insulates on the outside of the concrete between the shell and earth
backfill. This eliminates thermal stress on the stucture and provides mass within the
heated envelope. We use Extruded Polystyrene insulation due to its superior
quality for this application.

Most conventional basements have little or no insulation on the exterior walls.

Thus, the walls are exposed to subfreezing air and ground

Taylor Publishing PO Box 375 Cutten CA 95534 707-441-1632

www.dirtcheapbuilder.com